LAHORE, Sept 24: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has said Pakistan is making efforts to get an international law enacted against blasphemy with regard to any religion.

“We are also in contact with Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and President Zardari will also raise the issue in the UN and we will not remain silent till framing of an international law against blasphemy,” the prime minister said at a ceremony held at the Governor’s House here on Monday to distribute cheques among the families of those who died in Bund Road factory fire.

He said usually holidays are not declared for protests, but the Pakistan government had given a strong message to world by marking Ishq-i-Rasool Day that the Muslims could not tolerate blasphemy against their beloved Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him).

The prime minister said a ‘handful’ people who damaged public property during Friday’s protest against the anti-Islam film had given a wrong message.

“Those involved in making of blasphemous movie must be laughing at the act of those who burnt their own home. In fact they (rioters) helped them (blasphemers) achieve their objective,” he said. Minorities in Pakistan had also protested against the blasphemous film, he added.

During his speech, the Pakistan People’s Party minority MPA Pervaiz Rafique drew the attention of the premier towards burning of a church in Mardan, KPK. Mr Ashraf said he condemned the incident and the government would restore the damaged church (to its original condition).

The premier said he came to Lahore to share the grief of the families whose loved ones lost their life in the factory fire on Bund Road. He said the PPP drew its strength from workers.

“I am also a worker and my party made me the prime minister,” he said.

He distributed Rs400,000 each among the families of 20 victims and Rs100,000 each to the 11 injured. He also announced distribution of Rs500,000 to the family of each victim through the ministry of labour and manpower.

President Zardari’s sister MNA Faryal Talpur would also give away Rs200,000 each to the affected families and workers this week.

Earlier, Governor Latif Khosa said the Punjab government had not taken action against the officials involved in allowing the gutted factory to function without meeting the requirements under the law. He said some 8,000 fire incidents took place in the province during the tenure of the PML-N.

The governor also announced financial help for education of the victims’ children. PPP deputy parliamentary leader Shaukat Basra was the stage secretary.